Bridging a Five-Year Gap: Festive, Historic Colorado Street Bridge Party Returns Saturday

Few Southern California locations—and there are so many—are as dramatic and evocative as the sweeping view of the Colorado Street Bridge high above the verdant Arroyo Seco, looking north toward the Rose Bowl,  framed by the majestic San Gabriel Mountains.

The bridge, technically a section of West Colorado Boulevard which parallels the 134 Freeway, looking down towards Brookside Park and the Lower Arroyo Seco, connects Colorado Boulevard and  Old Pasadena with West Pasadena, Eagle Rock and Glendale to the west.

In 1978, Pasadena Heritage developed the biannual-except-during-a-pandemic  Colorado Street Bridge Party to honor and celebrate the historic Pasadena icon and the group’s own efforts to preserve it and other local architectural legacies.

After a unanticipated five-year hiatus, influenced by the pandemic,  Pasadena Heritage will once again offer residents and visitors the chance to stroll along the historic Colorado Street Bridge in celebration of one of Pasadena’s most striking monuments with a night over the Arroyo Seco on Saturday, July 15, from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Colorado Street Bridge Party is no ordinary fundraiser. The logistics involved are quite intense, as all the infrastructure required for the event has to be brought to the bridge, set up, and then taken down within a 24-hour window. 

The event will feature live music from the Jimbonaires, Upstream, Mercy and the Merkettes, and Art Deco Entertainment, along with dancing; vintage and rare cars and children’s activities.

A host of local eateries like Mijares Mexican Restaurant, Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ, Pam’s Sweet Shack and Funnel Cakes will offer up their delicious creation, while Craftsman Brewing and Eagle Rock Brewery will serve up the hops. 

All proceeds support the mission of Pasadena Heritage to identify, preserve and protect the historic, architectural and cultural resources of the City of Pasadena.

Sue Mossman, Executive Director of Pasadena Heritage, shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the organization’s meticulous approach to executing the grand event that celebrates one of Pasadena’s most cherished historical treasures. 

“We start planning a year ahead of time with board members, staff and a wonderful volunteer Bridge Party Committee all involved,” Mossman disclosed.

The City of Pasadena also plays a crucial role in making the event a reality. Mossman stressed, “We so appreciate the support of the City of Pasadena as their assistance and permissions are critical. Everyone working on the event is very enthusiastic and helpful, so it is a great team effort.”

Beyond the excitement and entertainment, the Colorado Street Bridge Party has a deeper purpose. The bridge itself is over 110 years old and has long been a significant part of Pasadena’s cultural landscape. Through this event, Pasadena Heritage aims to foster a greater appreciation for the bridge and other historic structures.

Mossman emphasized, “We hope that everyone sees the bridge as a significant historic structure and an icon for the city. Our goal is for people to see and experience it in a new way, understand the value of preserving it, and bring attention to the value of preserving and protecting historic buildings and structures throughout the city.”

And, speaking historically, the Colorado Street Bridge was originally designed and built in 1912 at a total cost of $191,000,roughly equivalent to $5,580,246 in 2023 dollars. In reality, of course, given technical and legal changes over the years, the costs would be far higher.

The bridge was designed by the Kansas City-based firm of Waddell and Harrington, replacing the small Scoville Bridge near the bottom of the Arroyo Seco, and opened on December 13, 1913.

The bridge was closed as a precautionary measure, following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 but was reopened in 1993 after a renovation.

The Beaux Arts design bridge follows a curved path to provide a more solid footing, as it spans 1,468 feet at a height of 150 feet and is notable for its distinctive arches, light standards, and railings. 

The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places and has also been designated a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

More information on the Colorado Street Bridge Party  is available right here.